Count Donald Trump a success. In 2000, he told Fortune magazine: “It’s very possible that I could be the first presidential candidate to run and make money on it.” Trump’s already succeeded in that goal, and he hasn’t even taken office yet.
From his golden throne in Manhattan’s Trump Tower, Trump is not only interviewing potential Cabinet members, he’s also plotting new international business deals. In effect, he’s pimping the presidency: creating giant conflicts of interest by treating the White House like any another Trump product or property — up for sale to the highest bidder.
{mosads}Two weeks ago, Trump took time out to meet with three developers of Trump Towers Pune, twin high rises in Pune, India — a meeting which Trump’s office dismissed as purely social but which Indian newspapers reported as a serious business meeting. Later, Sagar Chordia, one of the partners, confirmed to The New York Times that the developers did indeed discuss with Trump undertaking even more real estate projects in India.
Since his election, Trump has also met with Jose E.B. Antonio, his business partner in a new $150 million tower in downtown Manila, to discuss new business ventures in the Philippines. Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has named Antonio the Philippines’ special envoy to the United States — thereby, as is the case with Trump himself, combining international diplomacy with opportunities for personal enrichment.
India and the Philippines are not the only potential conflicts of interest. Altogether, The New York Times reports that Trump has business interests in 20 countries, including China, South Korea, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Panama and Canada. Which raises the obvious question: How will U.S. relations with those nations be affected by Trump International’s bottom line? And which takes priority, promoting the American empire or the Trump empire?
So far, the Trump empire is winning. On Tuesday, Nov. 15, over 100 foreign diplomats were invited to tour Washington’s new Trump International Hotel, a few blocks from the White House. Over champagne and sliders, the message was clear: You want to build ties with the new administration? Here’s how. As one Asian diplomat told The Washington Post: “Why wouldn’t I stay at his hotel blocks from the White House, so I can tell the new president, ‘I love your new hotel!’ ”
At least one other family member is also cashing in. After her speech at the Republican National Convention, Daughter Ivanka, who has her own line of clothing and accessories, invited women to come to her website and “Shop Ivanka’s Look.” That same website now advertises the diamond bracelet she wore on “60 Minutes” at the bargain price of $10,800.
The irony, of course, is that Trump spent the last month of his campaign accusing Bill and Hillary Clinton of “pay to play” by arranging meetings for Clinton Foundation donors with the then-secretary of State. But, no matter how ill-advised that practice, at least the money wasn’t going into Bill and Hillary’s pockets, like it is for Donald Trump. His selling of the White House is “pay to play” on steroids.
Press is host of “The Bill Press Show” on Free Speech TV and author of “Buyer’s Remorse: How Obama Let Progressives Down.”